Meet Your Board of Directors
CRHRA’s members are served by an enthusiastic Board of Directors. Here’s a “news in brief” introduction to these volunteers. We look forward to seeing you at meetings and programs this year and to receiving your feedback and opinions about how our chapter can serve YOU, the HR professional and advance our profession in the eyes of the Capital Region community. Our email addresses and contact information are available on the Contact Us page.
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Tracy L. Spargo, PHR President 2010 - 2011
Tracy is an Advisory Human Resource Business Partner at Pitney Bowes Business Insight, formerly MapInfo, a global software, data and solutions company that helps its partners acquire, serve and grow relationships with their customers. In this position, she provides Human Resources support for a group of approximately 250 associates within the Sales, Marketing and Services teams throughout the United States.
Ms. Spargo’s experience encompasses over ten years in multiple business sectors, including technology, health care, and manufacturing. She previously served as Vice President and Secretary and has been an active member of CRHRA’s Website Committee for several years, in addition to serving as a Director for 2005-2008. Tracy is currently perusing her MBA as part of University of Albany’s Weekend MBA Program. She is looking forward to her graduation in 2011.
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Harry R. Hayes, JD, PHR Vice President 2010-2011
Harry is the Director of Human Resources for New Visions in Slingerlands, New York. New Visions provides valuable programs and services for people with developmental disabilities in the Capital Region and has over 600 employees.
He has 26-plus years combined experience as an employment practices and labor lawyer and a human resources manager and consultant. Harry holds degrees from Union College and Suffolk University Law School and is a guest lecturer at Union Graduate College, School of Management.
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Miriam Dushane, PHR Secretary - 2009 - 2010
Managing the entire operations of Linium staffing, Miriam oversees all recruitment efforts, business development, employee management and complete P&L. In addition, Miriam is the Human Resource Subject Matter Expert for the consulting division of the company.
Miriam, specializing in recruitment, employee relations and training/development, she possesses over 16 years of HR experience in industries including: employment, banking/finance and healthcare.
Miriam possesses her certification as a Human Resource Professional (PHR) through SHRM. She is a current member of the Society for Human Resource Management and Capital Region Recruiters Network.
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Thomas J. Mc Kenna, LCSW Treasurer - 2009 - 2010
Tom is President and Managing Partner of McKenna & Associates – OI Partners, Inc, a human resource consulting firm, specializing in Outplacement, Career Counseling, Coaching and Pre-Employment Testing. Prior to his 20+ years with the firm, he held positions with Xerox and Unisys Corporation.
He has a master’s degree from both the University at Albany and Illinois State University and has been an adjunct business instructor at the College of St. Rose. Tom has appeared and has spoken on many TV and radio stations as well as having had his articles printed in the Business Review, the Times Union, the Gazette and the Poughkeepsie Journal. He is especially proud originating and chairing the annual Top 10 Program for CRHRA that statistically identified the best companies for which to work.
Tom lives in New Scotland with his wife Peggy and their two children. He has sat on the boards of the American Heart Association and the Albany Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce and currently sits on two other boards. |
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Michele Wilkes-Hawkins, PHR Past-President - 2010-2011
Michele is currently the Vice President of Human Resources for Tailwind Associates, a local IT consulting firm providing comprehensive technology solutions and services to industry and government based in Schenectady.
She possesses over 20 years of experience in the HR field and holds a BS degree in Business Management from Marymount College. Michele has been a CRHRA member since 1992. She is in her sixth year of serving on the CRHRA Board of Directors and has previously served on the website committee, chaired the newsletter for a three year term, served as Secretary and as Vice President. Michele is also a member of the Clifton Park Speakers Toastmasters Club, dedicated to improving her public speaking skills.
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Marjorie A. Adams, PHR Director 2008-2011
Workforce Readiness Chair
Marj is the Employment & Training Coordinator at the Women’s Employment and Resource Center (WERC) in Albany, NY. WERC is a private, not-for-profit organization that works to advance women's success in the workplace by building their economic and personal independence.
Marj has over 12 years of experience in training and development and facilitates career readiness, job search techniques and computer training workshops. Working with an extensive network of employers, she assists hundreds of women each year with their employment needs. Her background also includes over 10 years of experience in the banking industry. She has been an active member of the Workforce Readiness Committee since 2006 and currently serves as the Committee Chair.
She holds a Bachelors Degree in Human Resources and is certified as a Professional in Human Resources since 2004. Marj is a member of the Society of Human Resources (SHRM), the Capital Region Human Resources Association (CRHRA), Women in Development (WID), and the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce - Women’s Business Council (WBC).
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Mario Pecoraro, Jr. Director 2008-2011
Marketing & Special Ops
Mario Pecoraro is the founder and CEO of Alliance Worldwide Investigative Group, Inc., a fully-licensed, bonded and insured corporate investigative firm. Privately held and founded in 2005, Alliance Worldwide Investigative Group, Inc. offers due-diligence-based Pre-Employment Screening/ Background Investigative services, as well as Complete Insurance Fraud Investigation Services, domestically and internationally. Through its strategically placed staff of professionals, several hundred of which serve the Alliance network, the firm also offers complete investigation/surveillance throughout their coverage area.
With years of experience dedicated to the Human Resources Industry, focusing on effective hiring/background investigations practices, as well as methods of due-diligence based investigations, Mario and his team have successfully guided numerous organizations to address complex human resource issues involving hiring practices as they relate to screening employees.
As an active member of CRHRA for five years, Mario has participated with the organization in various capacities, including serving on both the Programs and Marketing Committees for multiple terms, and being actively involved in various levels of Human Resources and educational events, particularly as they relate to Alliance.
When the chips are down, this is the guy you want covering your back.
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Debra Antonelli, SPHR Director 2008-2010
Public Relations Chair
Debra is a Human Resource professional with over 14 years of HR management and generalist experience including strategic planning, employee relations, training and development, legal compliance, job analysis and design, employee handbook design and updates, performance management, policy and procedures, recruitment and employment equity programs.
Debra is the President of Delark HR Solutions, a provider of human resource consulting services which include compliance, training, employee handbooks, HR audits, and HR strategies. Debra has been a CRHRA member for the past 13 years and has served in volunteer roles with the chapter for the past nine years. She is a co-founder and President of the Capital Region Recruiters Network and works with various other not-for-profit organizations locally. Debra is a graduate of University at Albany and resides in Delmar, NY.
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Too New for Photo!
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Melissa Dunn, PHR - Director 2010-2013
Conferences & Special Programs Chair
Melissa posses over 15 years of experience in the Human Resources field. Her current focus with First Student is employee relations, organizational development and labor relations. Her experience spans compliance, recruitment, compensation, benefits administration, global human resources and safety.
She holds a Bachelors Degree from the University of New York at Albany and a PHR Certification. Melissa has been a member of SHRM for 10 years and an active member of CRHRA for 8 years.
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Mat Petrin, PHR - Director 2010 - 2013
Newsletter Chair
Mat is currently the Organizational Development Specialist with the Golub Corporation/Price Chopper Supermarkets. His position supports the organization with career development discussions, by identifying high potential associates, and determining future workforce needs. He has worked with Price Chopper for the past 12 years with various responsibilities including recruiting, on-boarding, payroll, benefits, and employee relations.
Mat recently graduated from the Sage Graduate School in Albany with a MBA - Human Resources and an advanced certification in Human Resources. He has also successfully passed the PHR certification exam given by the HR Certification Institute.
He currently lives in Albany with his partner Mike, and their two cats.
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Sarah Delaney Vero, Esq. - Director 2009-2012
Programs Chair
Sarah is an attorney in the Albany office of Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC and a member of the firm’s Labor and Employment practice group. Sarah represents and counsels employers in all areas of private and public sector labor and employment law, including employee hiring, discipline and discharge, personnel policies, employment contracts and severance agreements, compliance with state and federal employment laws, anti-discrimination and anti-harassment training, employee grievances, and litigation in federal and state court and before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the New York State Division of Human Rights.
Sarah is a graduate of Union College and Albany Law School of Union University, where she was Executive Editor of the Albany Law Review and Editor of the NYSBA Government Law and Policy Journal. In 2008, she was awarded the Outstanding New Lawyer Award by the Capital District Women’s Bar Association.
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Cathleen Smith - Director 2009-2012
Diversity Chair
Cathleen is a Senior Human Resources Generalist/Banking Officer with First Niagara Financial Group, a financial market player in 21 counties, with a workforce of 2,000 and 113 branches that span across New York State. Cathleen’s 17 years of Human Resource experience includes work in payroll, benefits, recruiting, employee relations and training.
Cathleen has been an active member of CRHRA’s Diversity and Workforce Readiness Committees for several years. Cathleen also serves as the treasurer for the Rensselaer County Job Service Employer Committee (JSEC), and is a member of the Capital Region Employers Alliance (CREA). Cathleen is an AIRS Certified Diversity Recruiter and has been a SHRM member since 2000.
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Chris Patrie - Director 2010-2013
Government Affairs Chair
Chris is Director of Human Resources for Janitronics Inc., an industry leading facility services contractor. Chris manages and oversees all human resources initiatives and responsibilities for the company’s corporate headquarters and branch offices throughout New York and Vermont.
Prior to joining Janitronics in 2006, Chris held progressive human resources and operations management positions for regional and Fortune 50 corporations. His twenty year human resources career has allowed him the opportunity to speak publicly on a variety of business and social issues. He volunteers his time as a long time member of the Business Advisory Council for Northeast Career Planning, NYS Business Council Legislative Committee, and various community programs.
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Peg Porpeglia, Director 2009-2012
Membership Chair
Peg has been in Human Resources for 24 years. During this time she has had responsibility in Payroll, Benefits, Compensation and currently HRIS. In her current role she is responsible for all system related duties in support of all HR departmental initiatives and is involved in all departmental activities. Her job is to support all the various HR sub-departments. Peg’s area is responsible for building databases, researching software systems, implementing software systems, and compiling statistical reports. She also maintains all personnel records for 24,000+ associates. She has a support staff of 10.
Peg has been a SHRM member for 8 years and a CRHRA member for about the same. She has been on the Membership Committee for a little over 4 years.
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Kelly Conroy, PHR - Director 2009-2012
Student Chapter Chair
Kelly is the Human Resources Administrator at ClearView Center, Inc. in Albany NY. ClearView Center is a not-for-profit community mental health agency dedicated to serving adults and families living with mental illness. She has over 8 years of Human Resources experience in the following business sectors: healthcare, pharmacy benefits and community mental health.
Kelly has her Bachelors degree in Human Resources from Kings College in PA and is currently working towards her Masters degree in Business Administration at The Sage Colleges in Albany. She possesses her certification as a Human Resource Professional (PHR) through SHRM.
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Martin Patrick, SPHR - Director 2008-2011
Certification Chair
Martin Patrick, SPHR, has over 25 years experience in Human Resources as a generalist, director and CHRO. He has been part of senior administrative teams with oversight of HR and training functions with an emphasis on strategic management, employee & labor relations, performance management, recruitment & retention, compliance, and operational management of HR Departments.
Martin holds a BA form the University of Massachusetts in Psychology and a MBA from Pace University in Personnel Management. He is a past president of the Northeastern NY Healthcare HR Association and a member of CRHRA for 15 years. He has resided in East Greenbush for 18 years, and is truly one of "The Good Guys".
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Chris Wessell, PHR - Director 2008-2011
Marketing Chair
Chris is a Founding Partner in the newly-launched "Pinnacle Recruiting and HR Solutions", and has six years of experience in recruiting. He is currently focused on providing world-class recruiting services for Pinnacle clients across the Northeastern United States.
Chris' involvement with CRHRA began as a college student, serving as president of the student chapter at UAlbany. He has been an active member of CRHRA since 2002, serving on a number of committees over the years.
Chris has an MBA with a concentration in Human Resources & Information Systems from University at Albany, and holds a PHR certification from the HR Certification Institute. In addition to the CRHRA Board, he serves on the Board of Advisors for the UAlbany chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon, and was recently added to the Board of Directors of the UAlbany Alumni Association. And he's one heck of a nice guy.
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Dennis M. Ryan, SPHR - Director 2008-2011
Website Chair
Dennis is a Financial Advisor with NPA Financial Services in Clifton Park. He holds a BA from Norwich University, an AS degree from Vermont College, and has an extensive background in Management, Human Resources, and Marketing. For the first 20 years of his career, Dennis was a turnaround specialist in the Radio Industry, managing various-sized radio station groups throughout the country, with direct responsibility for Human Resource functions for workforces ranging in size from 50 to 100+ employees.
He spent 7 years as VP, Field Sales at RegionalHelpWanted.com (known locally as CapitalAreaHelpWanted.com), helping grow that company into the world’s largest network of locally-focused, bilingual Job Boards. He’s a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, Mid-Hudson Human Resource Association, Capital Region Recruiter’s Network, and the Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department.
Dennis has spoken Internationally on a variety of HR topics, at events ranging from SHRM's National Staffing Management Conference in Las Vegas, to the Human Resource Institue of Alberta's Annual Conference in Calgary. He has also taught SHRM's 3-Day Certification Preparation Course in Washington, DC.
His shots are current, and if you don't like our website, blame him.
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